Is Your Generator in Good Shape?

January 20th, 2020

generator-installationSure, you may not need to use your generator often, but in the event that you do need it, you want to be certain that it’s working properly! Didn’t you buy your generator to keep you and your family comfortable safe in the event of an emergency?

There are a number of signs that suggest your generator is in need of repairs, and below, we have outlined some of them for you. All you have to do is keep reading below to find out more (oh, and of course, remember to contact our team when you need an electrician in Hoover, AL!)

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Our Not-So-Comprehensive Guide to Furnace Installation

January 6th, 2020

Are you in the market for a new furnace? Yes? Well then, you’ve come to the right place! We are your furnace experts and we are here to help!

We know just how overwhelming investing in a new furnace can be, and let’s face it: it’s no small task! In fact, we find that many homeowners don’t quite know where to start. But, you’re in luck!

Below, we have provided you with our Not-So-Comprehensive Guide to Furnace Installation, that way, you’ll know just what to do when the time comes. All you have to do is keep reading to learn more (and of course, remember to call our team when you need a great furnace contractor in Birmingham, AL!)

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Why is My Furnace Blowing Cool Air?

December 23rd, 2019

Of course, the last thing you need during a chilly winter day is another air conditioner, right? So, if your furnace is blowing cool air, it can seem like quite a big deal! Fortunately, you needn’t worry too much—with a team like ours to handle your furnace repairs in Birmingham, AL, things will be back to normal in no time!

There are a number of things that can cause a furnace to blow cool air, and below we have outlined some of them for you. All you have to do is keep reading to find out more! So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get started!

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A Homeowner’s Guide to Plumbing

December 12th, 2019

If you’re new to homeownership, or if you’ve had a run of good luck, you may be unfamiliar with many of the plumbing services commonly used by homeowners. Recently, Douglas Cooling & Heating, a heating and cooling company headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, brought plumbing services to their many heating and cooling clients.

Owner Blake Sanders says, “from conversations with customers, we knew there was a need. We’re thrilled to offer plumbing services so we may comprehensively serve the Birmingham community.” Now when Birmingham residents need a plumber, they can Call Douglas! Let’s review some of the most requested plumbing services.

Common Plumbing Services for Birmingham Homes

Water Heater Services

Need to replace a traditional storage tank water heater? Interested in upgrading to a modern tankless water heater? Either way, we’ve got you covered. If you’re curious about tankless water heaters, they’re more energy-efficient than the traditional storage model.

Simply, they heat water on demand. There’s no utility cost to constantly heat a large tank of water. Also, because there’s no tank, your tankless water heater produces nearly an infinite amount of hot water.

How many times have you had a couple of family members take showers in a row and left you with no hot water because the tank was empty? With a tankless water heater, that’s unlikely to happen. A regular tankless model adequately serves an average household.

Larger homes opt to get a larger model or to install multiple units, such as one upstairs for laundry and bathing, and one downstairs for kitchen and other uses.

Leak Repairs

Whether it’s a leaky faucet or pipe, we can put a stop to it. Did you know Alabama is one of 12 states to collectively account for more than 50 percent of the total water withdrawals in the U.S.?

It may not seem like much, but a drip per minute in an average home wastes more than 100 gallons in a year. Repairs for a leaky faucet or pipe are one of the most common plumbing services we provide. Don’t put it off – schedule an appointment today. It will start to show up in your water bill!

Drain Cleaning

This term is often misunderstood. Drain cleaning is often confused with drain clearing. Drain clearing clears your main drain. If you have low water pressure in your home, you may have an obstruction between your home’s plumbing system and the main line which travels to the street or another municipal outlet.

To clear drains, the tools and methods used depends on the type of clog and its severity, as well as the location of the clog within your plumbing system. Clearing penetrates the obstruction to improve water pressure and flow. Drain cleaning, on the other hand, is more comprehensive. We may use one of several tools, including hydo jetting to fully flush the pipes clean.

If you have blockages causing drains to back up or drain slowly, you may need drain cleaning over clearing. Our team of plumbing services pros will carefully evaluate your situation with special tools, such as a camera, to fully assess the problem.

Hydro jetting

Hydro jetting is a specific process we use to clean out the inside of your plumbing drain lines and also break up blockages. The process uses a high-pressure water stream which detaches debris from the interior walls of your pipes. This offers effective removal for materials that have built up over time and are affecting drainage quality.

What does hydro jetting remove?

  • Mineral scale
  • Grease
  • Undissolved food
  • Tree roots

Specialized equipment is used to blast water through your drain lines and remove buildup. The waste removed from your pipes naturally flows out of your home to the common sewer system or septic tank.

Sewer Line Services

Your home’s sewer lines can be impacted in a number of ways which result in poor drainage and backup across the entire house. Homeowners notice that sewer line issues are different than other blockages that just affect certain drainpipes of the home – a sewer line blockage causes poor drainage and backup throughout all drains, whereas other blockages typically cause drainage issues or backup in one fixture or area.

Often these issues are caused by tree roots that have penetrated the drainpipe, or damage to the drainpipe caused by age and the resulting blockages. To assess sewer line issues, our licensed plumbers utilize camera inspection equipment to see down into your lines and determine the exact cause of the issue at hand before developing a plan to correct it. Once the source is found, our plumbers use a combination of expert plumbing services at their disposal, which often includes hydro jetting and other drain cleaning methods discussed above and sewer line repairs.

Plumbing Fixture Repair and Installation

Want to update your bathroom or kitchen? Plumbing services include swapping out old, dated or inefficient plumbing fixtures with new ones. Get more use from your kitchen sink with a spray attachment central faucet.

Enjoy baths or showers more with handheld sprayers or “rain shower” shower heads. We can help you save money and water here too. Ask us about water-efficiency in plumbing fixtures, such as aerators or low-flow toilets.

Water Quality

Want to improve water quality in your new home? We install products like a water softener or a whole-home water filtration system. Water quality systems remove mineral deposits and contaminants from the incoming water supply to provide your taps with cleaner water. Enjoy fewer spots on your dishes, cleaner laundry and a cleaner you! Filtered water tastes better and makes your skin and hair feel better too.

Plumbing Maintenance

Beyond the installation and repair of your home’s plumbing system and its fixtures, we also offer plumbing services that help you maintain them! Plumbing maintenance is a crucial component of homeownership – you want these components to last as long as expected, and to be in good shape to prevent the risk of water damage.

Our plumbing maintenance solutions help you care for your entire plumbing system as well as specific components. If you have a tank style water heater, for example, did you know that yearly maintenance is a must? Maintenance services for your plumbing system help improve its performance to deliver better comfort, energy and water efficiency, lower costs, higher value, and more protection for your new home.

Plumbing Services from Douglas Cooling & Heating

Next time you need assistance with your plumbing system, whether it’s toilets, faucets, water heaters or water quality, call Douglas Cooling & Heating. Our plumbing services team is eager to show you the same commitment to customer service our heating and air customers enjoy. If you live in the Birmingham area, such as Bessemer, Homewood, Hoover, Pelham or Helena, contact Douglas Cooling & Heating for your plumbing needs.

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Common Plumbing Problems (UPDATED)

December 12th, 2019

Common plumbing problems weigh on every homeowner’s mind. When should you deal with plumbing yourself? Is it time to call a plumber? The professionals at Douglas Cooling & Heating, located in Birmingham, Alabama, are here to help. Tell the difference between at-home fixes and common plumbing problems requiring a professional with our help.

Common Plumbing Problems Which Require a Professional

Professional help with plumbing is needed more often than you think. A number of different plumbing problems must be fixed with the expertise of a plumber. These are a few issues to seek help from a plumber to fix.

Clogged drains

Everyone gets a clog now and again. Homeowners often tackle the issue themselves first, but these efforts do not always restore proper drainage. If all your at-home methods—plungers or drain snakes—don’t fix the clog, call a professional. Additionally, if you experience clogs on a regular basis, the problem most likely stems from a complete clog far down in your drain. At-home methods can’t fix these clogs.

A plumber uses professional methods to safely remove blockages and restore proper drainage in your home. A drain auger or drain snake may be used to bust up tough clogs and remove them. Hydro jetting is a process that uses high-pressure water sent through your drainpipes to not only break up blockages, but to clear the interior of your pipes from debris buildup.

Sewer line clogs

The sewer line that allows waste to flow out of your home to the municipal sewer or your septic tank can experience problems. Clogs in the sewer line are more severe in terms of common plumbing problems. Unlike a clog in a drain line, they cause problems all over the home, not just in one room or fixture. The signs of a sewer line clog include backup from your drains, gurgling noises from drains, water backup in showers or bathtubs when toilets are flushed, and bubbling from toilet water or faucets.

Sewer line clogs can be caused by a number of reasons:

  • Flushing improper items
  • Tree root penetrations
  • Debris entering the line through a busted pipe

This is one of those major plumbing problems you need professional help to fix. A plumber uses camera inspection equipment to look into your home’s sewer line and find the source of the issue and determine the appropriate fix. A drain snake, auger, and/or hydro jetting may be used to break through tree roots to clear the line before a repair is made. This inspection also determines if your pipes have broken due to age and allowed outside materials to settle in the line and stop drainage – in this case, your sewer line needs to be replaced.

Leaky pipes

Similar to clogged drains, leaky pipes are temporarily fixed with at-home remedies; however, these fixes need a professional to be correctly treated. Your leaky pipe seems like an easy fix, but it points to larger issues. The cause may be old pipes and connections that have started to wear out, or an issue such as improper water pressure is potentially damaging your pipes.

Use leak tape before your plumber visits to keep leakage contained. Then, call a professional. They fix the underlying problem instead of the surface-level issue. Water damage causes expensive damage that you want to avoid – the average water damage insurance claim results in losses over $10,000!

Low water pressure

Though it’s one of the most general plumbing problems, many believe this issue doesn’t need attention. Too often, homeowners pass it off as a comfort issue and skip further investigation. Your comfort matters, and these issues need to be looked into by a professional not only to improve your satisfaction with your plumbing system, but to address the cause to avoid future issues.

Most of the time, low water pressure stems from build-up of minerals on faucets and shower heads. In homes supplied by wells, pressure tank malfunctions often result in low water pressure. Pressure problems tend to be apparent in the shower, where we notice them the most, but they potentially affect your entire home.

If a quick clean of faucets doesn’t remedy your water pressure, get in touch with a plumber. A deeper issue, like a pipe leak or breach, could be the culprit. In that case, call a plumber to assess the problem.

Installation

Even for DIY masters, plumbing installation requires professional help. Attempt to install plumbing on your own and face potential hazards later on. Improper plumbing installation puts your home at serious risk of leaks, which not only raise your water bill – they lead to expensive water damage.

Professionals are trained to install plumbing systems and fixtures, so call them when you want a new set of pipes, sink, or tub. Leave the job to a professional and ensure it is done right to protect your home and the integrity of your new fixtures.

Septic tank leaks

Finally, septic tank leaks need professional assistance. No one wants to tread through septic tanks, especially if you don’t know how to fix the problem. You need a professional for any septic tank problems you have. A backup of sewage into drains indoors, slow draining, the odor of rotten eggs, and lush spots on your lawn over your septic tanks are signs you need help.

Schedule Regular Maintenance

The best strategy to avoid emergency plumbing repairs employs regular visits from a professional. Here are some benefits to regular plumbing maintenance.

  • Always clean- First, your faucets and pipes benefit from regular cleaning. You clean your pipes externally, but plumbers go deeper. All parts, inside and out, must be cleaned for the best performance.
  • Proactive not reactive- Maintenance allows your plumber to come across small problems before they become big ones. Common plumbing problems are solved quickly, but large issues take time—and rack up expenses. Get professional help to alleviate the need for emergency calls to your plumber. Even a small  water leak can create big, expensive problems so it’s best to get those check-ups!
  • Ensured safety- Last, plumbers check potentially dangerous problems during annual checks. For example, water heaters need to be checked for problems because any damage leads to gas leaks, fires and possibly explosions.

While these are extreme examples, they are possible and should be taken seriously. Regular maintenance ensures your water heater runs smoothly.

Call Douglas Cooling & Heating to Solve Your General Plumbing Problems

At the end of the day, professional help from plumbers guarantees your water flows as it should. While at-home fixes temporarily fix your difficult plumbing problems, they do not treat underlying issues.

This is why you must call an expert. Luckily, Douglas Cooling & Heating is here to help the residents of Birmingham, Alabama. For professional, reliable service, call us today and schedule a maintenance visit.

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What’s Wrong With My Heat Pump?

December 9th, 2019

It’s been downright chilly here in Birmingham these last couple of weeks, so it’s no wonder you’re concerned about your faulty heater! Just how in the world are you supposed to keep yourself warm and toasty with a heat pump that isn’t heating as it should?

There are a number of reasons why your heat pump might not be working properly, and below, we have listed some of them for you. All you have to do is keep reading to find out more (and yes, remember to call our team when you need heating repair in Birmingham, AL.)

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How to Heat a Garage Efficiently

November 26th, 2019

Working in a garage year-round is ideal for many residents in Alabama, even though the weather is often unpredictable with wildly fluctuating temperatures and humidity. Efficiently heating your garage to combat extreme temperatures while working comes down to this: install a mini-split ductless HVAC system. That’s where Douglas Cooling & Heating comes in! We offer the best ductless mini-split installation in Birmingham.

Going ductless in the garage has several benefits for homeowners. Contact Douglas Cooling & Heating for installation and maintenance of your ductless system or to learn more about the benefits of mini-split ductless technology.

What Is Mini-Split Ductless Technology?

Mini-split ductless technology has many names, such as split systems, mini-split systems and split-ductless systems. The technology consists of an outdoor heat pump unit connected to one or more indoor air handler units to provide heating or cooling to a desired area of a home. There is no ductwork required – conditioned air is pumped directly into the intended area through its dedicated air handler. One ductless heating system is able to accommodate multiple air handlers, so when you add one to the garage, you are also able to add zoned heating and cooling to other areas in your home that may need it, too.

These systems are utilized most often in new additions, new construction, apartments, condominiums, garages, sunrooms and other areas lacking proper climate control. In addition, ductless heating installation is often used to replace space heaters, which makes these systems a safe and efficient option for heating your garage. They also replace electric baseboard heaters and window air conditioning units, which use more energy and consistently increase energy bills. 

How to Heat a Garage with Ductless HVAC

Why is this a great option for how to heat a garage? Mini-split technology is used in homes or businesses currently using a ducted forced-air system. Most homes’ garages are not connected to the main HVAC system. To add heat otherwise, you would need to run ducts and likely resize your furnace to accommodate for the extra heat needed to warm the garage. If your garage is detached, that option isn’t even a possibility – how do you get the heat you want?

How to heat a garage with ductless heating is very simple and requires no alterations to your home’s existing heating and cooling equipment. The ductless air handler is installed in the garage and connected to the outdoor heat pump. This system in no way interferes with your existing HVAC equipment. And because of this, comfort levels in the garage are adjusted independently of the home – you are able to provide the extra warmth a garage needs without throwing off heating in other indoor living areas.

Ductless HVAC Benefits How to Heat a Garage

When you choose ductless HVAC for how to heat a garage, you benefit from many great advantages, including:

Greater Flexibility

Traditional air conditioners and heat pumps control the climate in a home through forced heated or cooled air circulated through ducts. These ducts travel all over a home, yet with mini-split ductless technology, the ideal temperatures are delivered directly to a specific zone. Comprised of a small outdoor unit and one or more indoor units, ductless systems offer more flexibility with their mounting capabilities and access to electricity. With the installation of only a small indoor unit, the ductless system requires less space. Add heating to the garage without extensive renovations or HVAC upgrades.

Increased Savings and Energy Efficiency

Mini-split ductless technology systems use less power to operate due to their small size and their ability to deliver temperature-controlled air directly to a room. These units have great energy efficiency ratings, which makes them a smart solution for how to heat a garage efficiently.

There is no risk of restricted airflow or energy loss from clogged or damaged ductwork, which allows the ductless system to operate more efficiently than a traditional forced-air system. Energy loss through ducts causes up to 30 percent energy loss in forced air systems! There is zero opportunity for this loss in a ductless system.

Focus heating and cooling in specific areas with a “zoned” system and cut down on wasted energy occurring when your forced air system tries to supply hot or cool air to unoccupied rooms. Your ductless system heats only your garage, only when you ask it to.

Improved Indoor Air Quality

Garages are notorious for bad air quality due to the activities that go on inside. With mini-split ductless technology for how to heat a garage, there are no ducts to gather debris that blow back into the area, plus your garage gains air filtration to remove potentially harmful airborne contaminants.. Ductless systems use multi-stage filtration to reduce bacteria, pollen, allergens, dust and other particulates in the air. You experience healthier and fresher indoor air quality with a ductless system.

Easy and Quick Installation

Installation of a traditional heating and cooling unit takes more time and disrupts your home life and activities. Installation of mini-split ductless technology is easy and quick compared to regular forced air systems. Ductless systems are less invasive and are usually ready to use within one day. The time it takes to install the system depends on how many indoor and outdoor units you want to be installed in your home. If you are just using it for how to heat a garage, the installation process is quite simple. Small pipes ran through a three-inch hole make installation easy and require no construction for installation.

Let Douglas Cooling & Heating Show You How to Heat a Garage

Installing mini-split ductless technology in your garage or another area lacking ductwork increases energy savings and improves your indoor air quality. Call Douglas Cooling & Heating today and talk to one of our NATE-certified technicians about installing a new ductless system in your home.

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How to Prevent Mold in Your HVAC System

November 26th, 2019

Excessive moisture in your home produces a number of problems, such as mold and mildew growth inside your HVAC system and ductwork. Prevent microorganisms from spreading throughout your home when you know how to prevent mold in HVAC systems. We walk you through how to detect mold growth in HVAC and solutions to keep your HVAC system protected.

Causes that Lead to Mold in HVAC Systems

The leading causes behind mold growth inside HVAC equipment are:

  1. Humidity
  2. Condensation
  3. Poor Ventilation

Humidity

High humidity levels in your home are the biggest cause of mold growth inside the HVAC system as well as inside the house itself. Summer months are usually the time when natural humidity is at its highest, though moisture issues exist in the home year-round. This includes excess humidity caused by showers and baths, washing machines, and other appliances.

Condensation

While your HVAC units run, your system develops condensation through the air ducts due to moisture within the air. The cooling process also creates a great deal of condensation, as it naturally removes moisture from the air. Normally, this condensation drains away from your home through the condensate drain pan and condensate lines, but if malfunctions or clogs occur, moisture cannot escape and backs up.

Poor Ventilation

If your home is poorly vented, it causes pockets of stagnant moist air to form indoors. Any steam or evaporating water in your air creates more humidity that cannot be circulated out because of poor ventilation. These issues often arise when bathroom exhaust fans and range hoods are not properly used or have malfunctioned.

Indoor Air Quality Solutions for How to Prevent Mold in HVAC Systems

Excess humidity inside a home as well as mold growth are indoor air quality issues. Indoor air quality systems address these issues and provide an affordable solution for how to prevent mold in HVAC equipment as well as mold exposure and growth in the home.

Whole Home Dehumidifiers

Alabama residents battle humidity constantly, which is why a whole home dehumidifier is the best weapon against excessive moisture indoors. Portable dehumidifiers only tackle the humidity in one place, while a whole home unit works directly with your HVAC system to control the moisture throughout your entire house. Notice fewer health issues, such as allergies, asthma and respiratory infections, when a dehumidifier is working alongside your HVAC system.

Ultraviolet Air Cleaners

This indoor air quality product strips your HVAC system of mold before it’s circulated throughout your home. This air cleaner is installed directly within your HVAC system or ducts and uses ultraviolet light energy to neutralize active mold spores so they cannot regrow. Ultraviolet air cleaners also help protect families from bacteria, viruses, and germs, ensuring the air you breathe is pure.

Media Air Cleaners

A media air cleaner traps and eliminates indoor pollutants from your air. They utilize a high efficiency media filter with a long service life, so maintenance is minimal. Media air cleaners with almost any brand of ducted HVAC system can capture up to 99% of particles, depending on the model and filter. Douglas Cooling & Heating offers several different media air cleaners with various features for you to choose from.

Energy Recovery Ventilators

Mold, mildew and dust mites gather in damp, moist areas of your home, and better ventilation prevents moisture accumulation throughout your home. Energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) increase ventilation in your home. They allow stale, contaminated air to vent outdoors while bringing in fresh air. What’s great about this style of ventilation system is that it helps you retain more of your heating and cooling energy to eliminate that waste when stale air is vented outdoors.

How to Prevent Mold in HVAC Systems with Maintenance

Maintenance for your HVAC system doesn’t just help it perform better, it goes a long way toward how to prevent mold in HVAC equipment. These maintenance tips help you prevent mold from taking over your heating and cooling equipment.

  • Schedule seasonal air conditioning preventive maintenance tune ups. With regularly scheduled HVAC maintenance from Douglas Cooling & Heating, our NATE-certified technician keep your system clean, so that it is able to best control the moisture level in your home.
  • Inspect your drip pans and make sure they are cleaned on a regular basis. This prevents condensation buildup and ensures the drainage system is clog-free to prevent mold growth.
  • Use a high efficiency air filter and replace it on a regular basis, as recommended by the manufacturer and your HVAC technician. Filters with a MERV rating of 5 to 13 offer capture of mold spores circulating through your air supply to prevent their spread – the closer to MERV 13 your filter, the better protection you have.

Stop Mold Growth in Your Ducts

Ductwork is typically home to an environment favorable for mold and mildew growth – warm, moist, and dark. Any mold that grows in your ducts can be picked up by circulating air and cycled into your HVAC equipment as well as your living areas.

In addition to indoor air quality solutions that treat humidity levels across the entire home, there are measures homeowners take that address how to prevent mold growth in HVAC ducts:

Insulate Ducts

Ducts run through uninsulated areas of the home, they are affected by the cool air that surrounds them. When circulating warm air from your home comes into contact with cold metal ducts, condensation forms inside the ductwork, just like condensation forms in the cooling process as warm, moist air reaches the cool evaporator coils. This condensation has nowhere to go – there is no drainage system as there is with the evaporator coils, which have the condensation drain pan fitted below. Therefore, it stays in your ducts where it creates an environment for mold growth.

Insulate your air ducts to control the amount of condensation that is produced. Insulation protects your metal ductwork from exposure to cold temperatures in the surrounding areas of your attic, crawl space, or basement where the ductwork runs. This measure helps keep moisture in the air until it reaches the HVAC system and indoor air quality equipment, where it is removed from the air and drained away.

Duct Inspection 

During our inspection, our technicians are also able to identify duct leaks and other malfunctions of the duct system which may be allowing more moisture into the ducts. As the air in the areas where ducts typically run is unconditioned, it usually has a higher humidity level. Air that leaks into the duct system from these areas can deposit moisture that leads to mold issues if unresolved.

It is important to seal duct leaks to stop mold development. Sealing your ducts also keeps conditioned air in, resulting in better comfort and energy savings. The average home loses up to 30 percent of its heating and cooling energy through duct leaks – this service helps prevent that problem.

Duct Cleaning

Have your ducts inspected by a Douglas Cooling & Heating’ HVAC contractor for mold growth. If mold is present, we thoroughly clean and treat your ducts to remove mold growth and help combat recurrence. 

Douglas Cooling & Heating Knows How to Prevent Mold in HVAC Systems

Don’t let mold in your HVAC system or its components affect your family’s health and comfort! Douglas Cooling & Heating offers many solutions to help homeowners manage indoor humidity and moisture levels to prevent mold growth in HVAC systems. Contact us today and work with our NATE-certified HVAC technicians to find the right solution for your home.

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HVAC Carbon Monoxide: The Ultimate Home Safety Guide

November 26th, 2019

Winter is coming and with it an increased risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning in residential homes. Fires and carbon monoxide poisoning are often associated with dangers during the winter months, and most people forget about these hazards during the summer. However, fires or CO leaks are just as life-threatening. Disaster can strike at any time, regardless of the season outside. If you use gas, for example, in appliances such as dryers, stoves, ovens or water heaters, you have CO-leak potential.

Carbon monoxide, a deadly gas, is colorless, odorless and tasteless, which makes it hard to detect without the help of a functional carbon monoxide detector.  Protecting your loved ones from this silent killer is one of the most important things you can do, and it is relatively simple.

A detector isn’t your only means of preventing carbon monoxide poisoning in your home. There are signs to watch for if you suspect carbon monoxide is leaking into your home and tips to help you lower your risk of poisoning. Keep your family safe when you know what to look for and how to protect them.

Where Does Carbon Monoxide Come From?

When carbon-based fuels such as gas, oil, kerosene or wood burn, produce gases. When fuel combustion or burning isn’t complete, carbon monoxide enters the air. When household appliances, such as cookers, heaters, central heating boilers, or furnaces are installed incorrectly, poorly maintained, or poorly ventilated, it can put you and your family at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Hazards in the Home

Carbon monoxide poisoning can occur if you use gas appliances with poor maintenance or a bad component. In the winter, cracked heat exchangers in gas furnaces are a potential carbon monoxide hazard, as the cracks allow combustion byproducts to seep out of the formerly closed system. In good condition, these byproducts safely vent out of your home.

Even gas barbecues create a summertime carbon monoxide poisoning hazard without you realizing it. Some opt to use a gas grill in the garage during inclement weather not realizing the potential for CO seeping into the home. In the event of a power outage, backup generators can leak carbon monoxide.

The best way to keep your family safe is to check your carbon monoxide detectors and ensure your gas appliances are in good condition. 

Signs of a Carbon Monoxide HVAC Leak

Many times, CO leaks are present in a home due to a faulty heating system, such as a furnace or boiler, or other gas-fueled appliance. If there are compromised areas in your heating system, CO gas will leak into your home before completing the combustion process.

Carbon monoxide can leak from other areas in your home, besides the heating system. If you notice any of the below symptoms with your furnace or in other areas of the home, leave your home and call Douglas Cooling & Heating to see if the leak is due to a faulty heating system:

  • Cracks in the combustion chamber
  • Older furnaces with signs of wear and tear
  • Leaky seams on furnaces and boilers
  • Cracks in the exhaust piping
  • A pilot light that frequently blows out
  • Yellow burner flame instead of the clear blue flame
  • Heavy condensation on windows where appliances are installed
  • Fallen soot in fireplaces
  • Stale, smelly, or stuffy air
  • Brownish-yellow or sooty stains around leaking appliances
  • No upward draft in a chimney flue

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Symptoms

The other red flag CO is leaking in your home is noticeable symptoms in your body or your pets. Get out of the house immediately if you notice any of the carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms below:

  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness
  • Extreme nausea
  • Continuously fatigued
  • Prolonged headaches
  • Feeling weak
  • Enhanced state of confusion

If anyone in your household experiences these symptoms, evacuate the home immediately and call 911.

Carbon Monoxide Safety Tips to Prevent Poisoning

Schedule regular heating maintenance in Birmingham on your equipment to prevent CO poisoning in your house. Douglas Cooling & Heating offers preventive maintenance plans affordable for any budget so you can experience peace of mind day and night.

Routine maintenance calls detect any damage and locate potential problems which lead to CO leaks. Keep your home healthy and carbon monoxide free with our help at Douglas Cooling & Heating.

Another way to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning is to install CO detectors and check them periodically to verify they are working properly. Carbon monoxide detectors emit a signal alerting you when CO is present in your home.

Different detectors vary on how they sound and what sounds alert you to the amount of CO in an area. Check the batteries on your CO detector every month and perform a safety test to make sure the alarm is working correctly.

Prevent Carbon Monoxide HVAC Leaks with Help from Douglas Cooling & Heating

Douglas Cooling & Heating wants to keep your family safe whenever you use your gas heating system. Turn to our NATE-certified technicians for annual maintenance to ensure heating system components are in good working order and not a safety risk when in use. If you suspect furnace malfunctions, contact us for quick and reliable heating repair.

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AC Compressor Failure (How to Avoid It)

November 26th, 2019

During hurricane season, Birmingham residents experience severe weather, which includes heavy rainfall and thunderstorms. Winter storms are also sometimes an issue here, even in the South. Strong winds, intense rain, and heavy snow and ice leave you, your home and your air conditioner vulnerable to extensive damage, as do some everyday issues. Your AC compressor is the most expensive component in your air conditioner. If it’s damaged, AC compressor failure costs a great deal to correct.

Keep safe by taking precautions when big storms roll through, and year-round. Call Douglas Cooling & Heating if you are concerned your AC compressor or air conditioner is damaged due to storms and other issues.

Our NATE-certified professionals are trained to spot inconsistencies with your AC compressor and ensure it’s operating smoothly after sustaining damage. If the AC compressor is too far gone, we will suggest replacement options to fit your budget. We also provide you with financing options.

Prevent AC Compressor Failure Before the Storm Hits

Take preventive steps before a hurricane or other storm hits your home. Early prevention will help keep your home and AC compressor safe against damage from winds and excessive rainfall.

  • Begin by turning the power off to your air conditioner. In the event of a storm, power outages and surges are common, which can fry the AC compressor or start an electrical fire.
  • Air conditioners running when a storm occurs are at risk to experience blown circuits and fuses when the power returns. This can lead to AC compressor failure.
  • When the power is off, you reduce the risk of damage to your AC compressor and other vital components inside the exterior unit.
  • Many homeowners think covering their outdoor unit is enough to protect it. If the storm isn’t a hurricane, however, a tarp can do more harm than good. Using a tarp during regular storm activity causes moisture to build up inside your equipment, which leads to mold and rust.
  • Hurricane weather is the ideal time to cover your exterior unit with a tarp. This protects the AC compressor against the intense winds and rain. Just make sure you uncover your equipment soon after the storm passes to prevent moisture accumulating inside on wiring, circuits and the AC compressor.

Proper Lawn Care Protects Against AC Compressor Failure

Intense winds blow debris, such as tree limbs, branches, and yard waste, across your property and hit your outdoor equipment. Damage can occur on the components inside your unit, including the AC compressor and condenser.

Taking care of your lawn properly promotes a healthy outdoor unit and reduces the need for an emergency HVAC cleaning from a professional. Easy ways you can properly perform yard work while increasing your HVAC unit’s performance efficiency and lifespan include:

  • When mowing the yard, keep the discharge pointed away from the outdoor unit, preventing grass from blowing into the unit and clogging the coil. You can also install a bag attachment to your mower to reduce the amount of leftover grass clippings.
  • After mowing, gently hose the condenser unit off to remove any excess debris clinging to the coil which might restrict airflow.
  • Trim back any shrubs or vegetation around the unit, so there’s at least 2-3 feet of clearance on all sides. Gather up the clippings and dispose of them so they don’t accumulate on the coil.
  • When using yard equipment, like a weed eater, be cautious around the outdoor unit. You can accidentally bend the coil fins, damage tubing and cause a refrigerant leak or cut important wires. The best option is to hand pull weeds or spray them with herbicides.
  • Lastly, remove any loose objects from your yard. Lawn furniture, toys, bikes or other objects can be destructive when the wind picks them up and blows against your AC compressor.

Effects of Poor Lawn Care Maintenance

Poor lawn care maintenance can produce disastrous results with your heating and cooling system and lead to higher energy costs and malfunctions from your outdoor unit. Examples of improper lawn care include:

  • Allowing tall, uncut grass to grow around your outdoor unit which interferes with the airflow and reduces your unit’s ability to cool your home efficiently.
  • Leaving grass clippings and stray leaves around your unit, which can form a clog at the bottom, restricting airflow in your outdoor unit.
  • Out of control vegetation growing around your outdoor unit will restrict airflow and damage the concrete pad the unit is on.
  • Twigs and branches falling on the condenser fan can damage the fins or get wedged within the fan blades, preventing them from working properly.

Build Protection for Your AC Compressor

In addition to storm preparation and proper yard work practices, there are a few additional measures that help protect your system against AC compressor failure. These measures reduce damage to the unit and enhance overall protection:

#1 Create Shade

The most important landscaping tip is adequate shading for your outdoor unit. The outdoor unit houses the AC compressor, which can easily overheat during the hottest part of the day or if placed in direct sun. Creating shade for your outdoor unit allows heat to dissipate faster from the AC compressor and condenser, preventing your unit from overheating.

The heat emitted from the AC compressor and other components in the outdoor unit can lead to complete system failure if the unit isn’t able to cool off. Typically, the outdoor unit is built to handle the outdoor elements and providing extra shade will boost your HVAC’s ability to keep you cool indoors.

#2 Create a Barrier

Heat penetrates your home through the roof of your home, which raises the temperature indoors quickly. Your roof is the first place direct sunlight hits and with the aid of tall trees, you can provide shade against the sun. By planting tall trees around your house, especially on the side where the sun hits your house most often, you can drastically reduce your energy bills. Trees on the east and west sides of your home are prime locations to block direct sunlight during the early hours of the day and late afternoon hours.

Evergreen trees are popular for shading and for boosted energy savings, consider planting deciduous trees with broad leaves. Deciduous trees will provide shade during the summer, and in the winter when the leaves fall, the trees will allow direct sunlight to hit your home, providing warmth when you need it.

If you want another alternative to planting trees for shade, consider building a trellis along the exterior walls where vines can grow. The vines will coat your exterior walls, creating a barrier between the direct sunlight and your home.  

Pro Tip: Remember to preserve space of approximately 1-3 feet around your outdoor AC units. Allowing shrubbery or other plantings to grow too close may hamper the airflow, negatively affecting your unit’s efficiency. Also, remember to clear away any leaves and debris from the unit following storm activity.

#3 Create Breezes

Trees providing shade for your AC compressor, condenser, and other outdoor unit components provide an additional benefit. During the summer, cool breezes float in at night, and the trees will catch the cool breezes, pushing them toward your windows.

Even shrubs play a role in capturing and controlling the breeze. By planting shrubs under windows, the wind is pulled up and works with nearby trees to push the breeze down. Make sure shrubs aren’t planted too close to your exterior walls, which can create moisture problems when the humidity is high.

Cooling your house off at night, when the sun is down, let your air conditioner have a break from operating all day to maintain ideal temperatures in your home. The AC compressor and condenser will be able to cool off, and heat will fully dissipate before cooling your home the next day.

Time for an AC Compressor Inspection, Cleaning, or Possible Repair

If you notice damage to your outdoor unit or debris caught inside. Contact Douglas Cooling & Heating to have your outdoor unit cleaned properly. A thorough air conditioning maintenance inspection detects AC compressor failure and other damage, and allows our NATE-certified technicians to repair the damaged component immediately. The cost to have your HVAC unit cleaned is nothing compared to the expense of a breakdown of your unit when temperatures are running hot outside. 

HVAC cleaning by a Douglas Cooling & Heating technician keeps your system healthy and prolongs its lifespan. A clean outdoor unit also experiences boosted performance and efficiency, saving you monthly on your energy bill.

Ensure your air conditioning unit is safe from the storms by calling Douglas Cooling & Heating before you start your cooling system back up. Turning on your unit after a storm hits without scheduling an inspection can be disastrous, especially if it’s sustained electrical damage.

We train our NATE-certified technicians to inspect and diagnose potential problems after a storm. We will ensure your system is safe to operate, so you can rest easy and stay cool inside your home.

Hurricane-generated intense wind and heavy rain are here through November, so your HVAC equipment needs extra protection. Concerned about your AC compressor? Call Douglas Cooling & Heating. We’re here for you before and after the season’s storms.

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